Fixie gearing- 16 vs 17 (need to decide ASAP)
 

Hey everyone-

I have an 06 Langster which I just got fixed this weekend. I went with a 17T cog (Surly) because that's what my freewheel was (never changed from stock). Anyway, fixie is wonderful, and the freewheel is coming off, but I am (already) considering a smaller cog. The fixie setup seems to carry a lot more momentum up hills, and is obviously a little trickier going down them. More speed in the flat areas never hurt either. I found a nice Soma 16T on a certain website that looks like it will go for cheap and ends around 5pm (my time). My question is, am I likely to notice a significant difference, or would I be better off getting a 15? I don't need a huge jump (I actually am not strong enough for a bigggg step), but I would like a little bit steeper gearing.

Thanks.

ill trade you my 16 for your 17

I like a gear ratio of about 2.8

It doesn't kill me uphills, and downhill is no problem.

Keep several cogs on hand and experiment.

Odd for the skid patches, but you should do what roadfix suggested.

what is you front chainring.
are you running brakes still?
are you worried about skid patches?
are you worried about your knees?
all thing to consider.
but roadfix is right have several and try them all out.

where do you live?
I have a couple of dura-ace 16t that never get used

Front chainring is 48.
Both brakes are still mounted, so stopping power isn't an issue.
Therefore, I do not skid.
(Because I am worried about my knees).


I live north of Philadelphia.


If anyone lives near me and has an old 16 (or 15) around. . .

16 it up..

I went with a 17 vs. a 16 cause with a 16, I'm stuck with 1 skid patch and it'll eat through my tires like butter.

I also have 48 in the front and ran a 16 cog for a while. This is a bad idea if you skid because 48/16 only has 1 skid patch(only skidding with your dominant foot forward) Since you have brakes and don't skid it won't matter

17 ftw!

http://www.win.org/library/services/.../seventeen.jpg

Butter eats through tires? Good thing I don't use it as a tire lube. :)

Az

check out http://software.bareknucklebrigade.com/

This little software will give you all the data you'd ever want about gear combinations.

if you don't skid, then it's all about what feels right. 16 is the largest size you can get in current dura-ace, if that's important to you. i'd probably run 17.

48x18 FTS!